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Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic models can be applied to clinical study data using various modelling approaches depending on the aim of the analysis. In population pharmacokinetics for instance, simple compartmental models can be employed to describe concentration-time data, identify prognostic factors and interpolate within well-defined experimental conditions. The first objective of this thesis was to illustrate such a ‘semi-mechanistic’ pharmacokinetic modelling approach using mavoglurant as an example of a compound under clinical development. In particular, methods to accurately characterise complex oral pharmacokinetic profiles and evaluate the impact of absorption factors were investigated. When the purpose of the model-based analysis is to further extrapolate beyond the experimental conditions in order to guide the design of subsequent clinical trials, physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models are more valuable as they incorporate information not only on the drug but also on the system, i.e. on mammillary anatomy and physiology. The combination of such mechanistic models with statistical modelling techniques in order to analysis clinical data has been widely applied in toxicokinetics but has only recently received increasing interest in pharmacokinetics. This is probably because, due to the higher complexity of PBPK models compared to conventional pharmacokinetic models, additional efforts are required for adequate population data analysis. Hence, the second objective of this thesis was to explore methods to allow the application of PBPK models to clinical study data, such as the Bayesian approach or model order reduction techniques, and propose a general mechanistic modelling workflow for population data analysis. In pharmacodynamics, mechanistic modelling of clinical data is even less common than in pharmacokinetics. This is probably because our understanding of the interaction between therapeutic drugs and biological processes is limited and also because the types of data to analyse are often more complex than pharmacokinetic data. In oncology for instance, the most widely used clinical endpoint to evaluate the benefit of an experimental treatment is survival of patients. Survival data are typically censored due to logistic constraints associated with patient follow-up. Hence, the analysis of survival data requires specific statistical techniques. Longitudinal tumour size data have been increasingly used to assess treatment response for solid tumours. In particular, the survival prognostic value of measures derived from such data has been recently evaluated for various types of cancer although not for pancreatic cancer. The last objective of this thesis was therefore to investigate different modelling approaches to analyse survival data of pancreatic cancer patients treated with gemcitabine, and compare tumour burden measures with other patient clinical characteristics and established risk factors, in terms of predictive value for survival.

Understanding the processes that govern pre-systemic drug absorption and elimination is of high importance in pharmaceutical research and development, and clinical pharmacotherapy, as the oral route remains the most frequently used route of drug administration. The emergence of systems pharmacology has enabled the utilisation of in silico physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modelling and simulation (M&S) coupled to in vitro-in vivo extrapolation in order to perform extrapolation and exploratory M&S in special populations and scenarios were concerns regarding alterations in oral drug exposure may arise, such as following gastrointestinal (GI) surgery or metabolic drug-drug interactions (DDIs).Due to the multi-factorial physiological implications of bariatric surgery, resulting in the partial resection of the GI tract, the inability to rationalise and predict trends in oral drug bioavailability (Foral) following surgery present considerable pharmacotherapeutical challenges. PBPK M&S is a highly implemented approach for the prediction of DDIs. Reoccurring issues have emerged with regards to predictions of the magnitude of mechanism-based inhibition (MBI) where overestimations of DDIs have repeatedly been reported for drugs exhibiting high intestinal extraction. The aim of this thesis was to explore the interplay between oral drug absorption and metabolism occurring in the GI tract through the exploration of the impact of bariatric surgery on oral drug exposure and by theoretically examining the nesting and hierarchy of enterocyte and enzyme turnover and its impact on MBIs in the small intestine. This would be carried out by utilising a systems pharmacology PBPK M&S approach under a general model development framework of identification and characterisation of critical intrinsic factors and parameters, model implementation and validation. Developed post bariatric surgery PBPK models allow a framework to theoretically explore physiological mechanisms associated with altered oral drug exposure pre to post surgery, which could be assigned to the interplay between dissolution, absorption and gut-wall metabolism, where dissolution and formulation properties emerged as the perhaps most important parameters in predicting the drug disposition following surgery. Model validation identified missing critical factors that are essential for additional model refinement. Developed post bariatric surgery PBPK models have the potential of aiding clinical pharmacotherapy and decision-making following surgery. A mechanistic PBPK model was developed to describe the hierarchical dependency of enzyme and enterocyte turnover in the small intestine. Predicted enzyme recovery using the nested enzyme-within-enterocyte turnover model may potentially account for reported overpredictions of mechanism-based inhibition. Developed models in this thesis showcase the advantage of PBPK M&S in the extrapolation of oral drug exposure to special population and the potential of a PBPK approach in understanding underlying the underlying mechanism governing Foral and additionally highlight the need for generation of interdisciplinary data to support model development.

Contexte: L’insuffisance cardiaque (IC) est un syndrome clinique complexe regroupant un large spectre de mécanismes pathologiques qui peuvent altérer le fonctionnement de multiples organes, affectant ainsi la pharmacocinétique (PK) des médicaments. La modélisation pharmacocinétique de population (Pop-PK) consiste à appliquer des modèles non linéaires à effets mixtes dans le but de décrire l’exposition au traitement et quantifier la variabilité au niveau des paramètres PK. Objectif: Ce travail vise à évaluer par approche populationnelle la PK du candesartan en IC et à déterminer les covariables décrivant d’une façon statistiquement et cliniquement significative la variabilité au niveau de la clairance. Méthodes: Les données d’une étude pharmacogénomique ouverte, multicentrique et prospective ont été récupérées pour amorcer notre analyse. Le processus de modélisation et les simulations nécessaires sont réalisés à l’aide du logiciel NONMEM (Nonlinear Mixed Effects Modeling). Les covariables préliminaires ont été sélectionnées par des tests statistiques tels que la régression linéaire et l’ANOVA. Enfin, l’élaboration du modèle final est effectuée en utilisant le processus de sélection séquentielle « forward/backward ». Résultats: Un total de 281 patients caucasiens ont été inclus pour développer le modèle Pop-PK. Les données du candesartan ont été caractérisées par un modèle à un compartiment avec absorption de premier ordre et temps de latence. Le poids, l'âge, la fraction N-terminale du pro-peptide natriurétique de type b (NT_proBNP), le débit de filtration glomérulaire (DFG), le diabète, l'utilisation du furosémide et le sexe étaient les covariables sélectionnées préliminairement pour la clairance apparente (CL/F). Le modèle final développé pour la clairance apparente est représenté par l'équation suivante : CL/F (L/h) = 8.63*(Poids/82.45)0.963 * (DFG/74)0.56 * (0.682) Diabète * EXP0.138 Les simulations ont révélé qu'une diminution importante de la clairance orale (diminution de plus que 25 %) est obtenue en combinant les facteurs significatifs retenus dans le modèle final (patients ayant un faible poids corporel avec une insuffisance rénale modérée à sévère et patients diabétiques avec une insuffisance rénale faible à modérée). Nous avons constaté que les patients ayant ces combinaisons dans notre base de données présentaient des concentrations comparables à celles des autres patients malgré qu’ils aient toléré de plus faibles doses pendant la titration. Conclusion: La modélisation PK de population a servi comme une approche efficace pour caractériser la PK du candesartan en IC et pour identifier une sous-population à risque d’une exposition élevée. Le poids, le DFG et le diabète sont des prédicteurs indépendants de la clairance du candesartan en IC. Considérant ces facteurs, une approche plus individualisée de l'administration du candesartan est nécessaire chez les patients atteints d’IC. / Context: Heart failure (HF) is a clinical condition that causes pathological changes all over the body affecting hence the pharmacokinetic of drugs. Population pharmacokinetic modeling (Pop-PK) consists in applying non-linear mixed-effects models to characterize treatment exposure and quantify PK parameters variability. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the pharmacokinetic (PK) of candesartan in HF patients while examining statistically and clinically significant covariates on estimated clearance using population pharmacokinetics (Pop-PK) modeling approach. Methods: Data from a prospective, multicenter, open label, pharmacogenomic study were available for this analysis. Modeling and simulations were conducted using Nonlinear Mixed-Effect Modeling software NONMEM. Preliminary selection of covariates was accomplished with statistical tests (linear regression and ANOVA). Final model development was performed using forward/backward selection approach on the preliminarily selected covariates. Results: A total of 281 Caucasian patients were included to develop the Pop-PK model. Candesartan data were characterized by a 1 compartment model with first order absorption and lag time. Weight, age, N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide (NT_proBNP), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), diabetes, use of furosemide and sex were the preliminarily selected covariates for apparent clearance (CL/F). The final model developed for apparent clearance is represented by the following equation: CL/F (L/h) = 8.63*(Weight/82.45)0.963 * (eGFR/74)0.56 * (0.682) Diabetes * EXP0.138 Simulations revealed that an important decrease in oral clearance (decrease of more than 25%) is obtained with the combination of the significant factors retained in the final model (patients having low weight with moderately to severely impaired renal function and diabetic with mildly to moderately impaired renal function). Patients having these combinations in our database were found to achieve comparable concentrations to the rest of patients despite tolerating only lower doses. Conclusion: Population pharmacokinetic modeling provided an effective approach to characterize the PK of candesartan in HF and to identify a subpopulation at potential risk of high exposure. Weight, eGFR and diabetes are independent predictors of candesartan clearance in patients with HF. Considering these factors, a more individualized approach of candesartan dosing is needed in HF patients.

Microneedle is a promising technique for delivering high molecular weight drugs across skin. The microneedles can offer a number of benefits over other drug delivery methods. For example, the drugs only diffuse over a short distance before reaching the blood circulation which enhances the absorption of drugs by the tissue. However, the drug transport behaviour in skin is affected by a complex interplay of many parameters (e.g., microneedle geometries, permeability across skin, etc). In this thesis, many aspects of the microneedle field were examined. A mathematical model for drug transport from microneedle systems into skin was developed. Issues such as microneedle penetration, surface area of the microneedle arrays, etc. were investigated. This work helped us to focus into optimizing the design of microneedles by developing an in-house algorithm to enhance the performance of transdermal drug delivery using microneedles. Following the development of this algorithm, the influence of skin thickness with its classification (i.e., age group, race, etc.) on drug permeability across skin was studied. Attention was then given to determine the effective permeability (Peff) and the effective skin thickness (Heff) for various solid microneedle models. The outcome of this research allowed us to study the influence of microneedle dimensions on the drug concentration in blood (Cb). Furthermore, the 'pattern' (shape) of the microneedles array (i.e., square or rectangular) and the 'distribution' (arrangement) of the microneedles inside an array (i.e., triangular or diamond) were investigated to identify the optimum microneedle models. Finally, the effect of skin metabolism on both the patch (without microneedles) and the microneedle arrays on drug intake were examined.

To improve efficacy in the field of drug discovery simpler in vivo, non invasive methods such as PET and SPECT are used. Pharmacokinetic analysis is the underlying method for analyzing the PET data. Imaging of tracer distribution is used to study a metabolic process. Using Matlab as the programming language, a software tool is developed to analyze the quantitative information from PET and to obtain an estimate of pharmacokinetic parameters, representing the bio- distribution of the radiotracer. A Graphical User Interface developed allows two types of analysis, depending upon the nature of the radiotracer: Compartmental Modeling and Logan Plot Analysis. Compartmental analysis gives us rate constants and blood volume where as Logan analysis gives us the distribution volume as the parameter of interest. Code validation is done for two radiotracers, 15O-water (Single compartment model) and FPAC (Logan Plot). Results from the code were compared with those obtained during a research work done to study MDR.

Les nouveau-nés et jeunes enfants forment une population spécifique pour laquelle les études cliniques sont rares et difficiles à mettre en œuvre. La modélisation pharmacocinétique permet de réaliser des études non invasives et est donc particulièrement bien adaptée à cette population. Tout comme pour l'expérimentation scientifique qui nécessite plusieurs études pour conduire à un consensus, plusieurs bases de données pharmacocinétiques sont nécessaires afin d'arriver à un modèle optimal généralisable. Néanmoins, de nombreux modèles pharmacocinétiques sont publiés pour une même molécule, indépendamment les uns des autres, sans que l'on sache clairement lequel est le plus adapté. Inversement de nombreuses molécules ne sont pas ou peu étudiées et ne permettent pas de conduire à des recommandations fiables.L'objectif de ce travail de thèse était de rechercher une stratégie pour privilégier un modèle par rapport à un autre et ainsi, conduire à un modèle optimal permettant d'émettre des recommandations. Nous avons choisi de centrer notre intérêt sur les études pharmacocinétiques de population en néonatalogie et plus précisément sur deux molécules: la vancomycine et le phénobarbital. / Neonates and young infants are a specific population in which clinical studies are rare and difficult. Pharmacokinetic modeling allows to realize non invasive studies and is therefore particularly well suited for this population.As well as for scientific experimentation which requires several studies to lead to a consensus, several pharmacokinetic databases are needed to achieve a generalizable optimal model.Nevertheless, many pharmacokinetic models are published for the same molecule, independently of each other, without knowing clearly which is the most suitable. Conversely many molecules are not or little studied and can not lead to reliable recommendations.The aim of this thesis was to find a strategy to prefer a model over another, and thus lead to an optimal model to make recommendations. We chose to focus our interest on population pharmacokinetic studies in neonatology and more specifically on two molecules: vancomycin and phenobarbital.

A ciclobenzaprina é um relaxante muscular de ação central estruturalmente similar aos antidepressivos tricíclicos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a bioequivalência de comprimidos contendo 10 mg de cloridrato de ciclobenzaprina em voluntários sadios. O estudo de bioequivalência entre o produto teste (Miosan®) e referência (Flexeril®) foi do tipo randomizado, aberto e cruzado. Os produtos foram administrados por via oral aos voluntários em dose única de 10 mg de cloridrato de ciclobenzaprina. Amostras de sangue foram coletadas até 240 horas após a administração do fármaco e quantificadas por método previamente validado através de cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência acoplada a um detector de massas. As curvas médias de decaimento plasmático dos produtos teste (Miosan®) e referência (Flexeril®) foram semelhantes ASC0-t (teste: 193,00 ngxh/mL; referência: 191,66 ngxh/mL) e ASC0∞ (teste: 211,34 ngxh/mL; referência: 209,35 ngxh/mL). Assim como os parâmetros farmacocinéticos relativos à absorção de ciclobenzaprina, Cmax (teste: 7,16 ng/mL; referência: 6,95 ng/mL), tmax (teste: 4,61 h; referência: 4,48 h), Ka (referência: 0,79; teste: 0,67) e t(1/2)a (referência: 1,79 h; teste: 2,02 h). Os parâmetros farmacocinéticos relativos à eliminação plasmática de ciclobenzaprina Cl (teste: 31,15 L/h; referência: 31,73 L/h), Vd (teste: 1378,54 L e referência (1357,87 L), kß (referência: 0,08; teste: 0,08), t(1/2)ß (referência: 9,43 h; teste: 9,20 h), k&#947 (referência: 0,02; teste: 0,02) e t(1/2)&#947 (referência: 32,92 h; teste: 31,67 h) também apresentaram-se semelhantes entre os dois produtos. A análise multivariada realizada por meio da análise de variância (ANOVA), para a avaliação dos efeitos produto, grupo e período, revelou a ausência destes efeitos, indicando que o delineamento do estudo foi adequado. Os resultados do intervalo de confiança (I.C. 90 %) para a razão de Cmax (93,0 % - 112,0 %), ASC0-t(92,6 % - 111,1 %) e ASC0&#8734 (93,1 % - 110,4 %), encontram-se dentro dos limites estabelecidos pela ANVISA e FDA (80 - 125 %). A análise estatística dos parâmetros Cmax, ASC0-t e ASC0-&#8734 indicam que não há diferenças entre os dois produtos contendo 10 mg de cloridrato de ciclobenzaprina. Com base nos resultados deste estudo, conclui-se que os produtos avaliados são bioequivalentes e podem ser considerados intercambiáveis na terapêutica. / Cyclobenzaprine is a centrally acting muscle relaxant that has similarity with a tricyclic antidepressant. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the bioequivalence of two brands of cyclobenzaprine 10 mg tablets in healthy volunteers. The procedure of bioequivalence between test product (Miosan®) and reference product (Flexeril®) was a randomized, open and crossover study. The products were administered in a single oral dose of 10 mg of cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride to healthy volunteers. Blood samples were collected until 240 hours after administration and quantified by validated method using high-pressure liquid chromatography with mass spectrometric detection. The average plasmatic decay curves of test (Miosan&#174) and reference (Flexeril&#174) products were similar ASC0-t (test: 193,00 ngxh/mL; reference: 191,66 ngxh/mL), in the same way that absorption parameters Cmax (test: 7,16 ng/mL; reference: 6,95 ng/mL), tmax (test: 4,61 h; reference: 4,48 h), Ka (reference: 0,79; test: 0,67) e t(1/2)a (reference: 1,79 h; test: 2,02 h). The elimination parameters Cl (test: 31,15 L/h; reference: 31,73 L/h), Vd (test: 1378,54 L e reference (1357,87 L), k&#914 (reference: 0,08; test: 0,08), t(1/2)&#946 (reference: 9,43 h; test: 9,20 h), k&#947 (reference: 0,02; test: 0,02) e t(1/2)&#947 (reference: 32,92 h; test: 31,67 h) were similar between products too. The multivariate analysis accomplished trough analysis of variance (ANOVA), for assessment of product, group and period effects, revealed the absence of any of these effects in the present study, indicating that the crossover design was properly performed. The 90 % confidence intervals for the ratio of Cmax(93,0 % - 112,0 %), AUC0-t(92,6 % - 111,1 %) and AUC0&#8734 (93,1 % - 110,4 %) values for the test and reference products are within the 80 - 125 % interval proposed by ANVISA e FDA. Statistical analysis of Cmax, AUC0-t e AUC0-&#8734 parameters indicated no significant difference between two brands of 10 mg cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride products. Based in the results of this study, we can conclude that the two products are bioequivalent and can be considered interchangeable in the medical practice.

A correlação in vitro - in vivo (CIVIV) refere-se ao estabelecimento de uma relação racional entre uma propriedade in vitro de uma forma farmacêutica (FF) e uma característica biológica, ou parâmetros derivados destas, produzidas a partir da absorção do fármaco, liberado por uma FF. Para o desenvolvimento de uma CIVIV, são necessárias três ou mais formulações, as quais são avaliadas em relação ao comportamento de dissolução e à biodisponibilidade (BD), e por meio do cálculo de deconvolução, estimam-se as frações absorvidas. A furosemida, fármaco modelo, é um diurético usado no tratamento de hipertensão. Este fármaco é classificado como classe IV do sistema de classificação biofarmacêutico (SCB) (Amidon et al., 1995). O objetivo do presente trabalho foi estabelecer uma CIVIV para formas farmacêuticas (FFs) de liberação modificada contendo complexo de furosemida e hidroxipropil-&#946-ciclodextrina (HP-&#946-CD), a partir de ensaios de dissolução e estudos de BD. O complexo de furosemida e HP-&#946-CD foi obtido por liofilização e caracterizado por análise térmica, solubilidade e permeabilidade. A partir do complexo, foram produzidas cinco formulações de comprimidos de liberação modificada, com diferentes concentrações de hidroxipropilmetilcelulose (HPMC) (10-30%). Estas foram submetidas aos estudos de dissolução com o aparato II. Destas, foram selecionadas três formulações com perfis distintos e submetidas ao estudo com o aparato IV e posteriormente ao estudo de BD. A partir destes resultados foi estabelecida uma CIVIV e esta foi avaliada por meio da validação interna. Foi realizado o estudo in silico de previsão das curvas de decaimento plasmático com emprego dos programas, STELLA® e Simcyp®, a partir dos dados: solubilidade da furosemida; dissolução a partir das formulações e dados farmacocinéticos obtidos a partir da injeção intravenosa do medicamento referência. Quanto à caracterização do complexo, os ensaios termoanalíticos sugerem que a furosemida forme complexo de inclusão com a HP-β-CD pela técnica da liofilização. Observou-se o aumento da solubilidade em relação ao fármaco puro. Entretanto, quanto à permeabilidade, avaliada por meio do PAMPA (permeabilidade em membrana artificial paralela), os resultados foram semelhantes entre o fármaco puro e o complexo. Quanto ao comportamento de dissolução, avaliado com emprego dos aparatos II e IV, observou-se que as formulações apresentaram perfis de dissolução distintos. Os resultados do estudo de BD indicaram que a concentração do HPMC tem impacto relevante na absorção da furosemida. Foram obtidas correlações lineares a partir dos dados de fração absorvida e de dissolução, com coeficiente de determinação de 0,7662 para o aparato II e de 0,96017 para o IV. A validação interna da CIVIV empregando o aparato IV indicou que a correlação foi satisfatória. O estudo in silico de previsão das curvas de decaimento plasmático demonstrou que, nas condições empregadas, o modelo desenvolvido com o STELLA® foi mais preditivo do que o obtido pelo Simcyp®. / The in vitro - in vivo correlation (IVIVC) refers to the establishment of a rational relationship between a in vitro property of a pharmaceutical form (PF) and a biological characteristic or parameters derived from those, produced from the absorption of a drug released from a PF. For the development of an IVIVC, it is necessary three or more formulations, which are evaluated in relation to the dissolution behavior and for bioavailability (BA), calculating by deconvolution, an estimated absorbed fractions. Furosemide, a model drug, is a diuretic used in the treatment of hypertension. This drug is classified as class IV from biopharmaceutical classification system (BCS) (Amidon et al., 1995). The objective of this study was to establish an IVIVC for pharmaceutical forms (PFs) with modified release containing furosemide complexed with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD), from dissolution tests and BA studies. The complex of furosemide and HP-β-CD was obtained by freeze-drying and characterized by thermal analysis, the solubility and the permeability. From the complex were produced five modified release tablet formulations, with different concentrations of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) (10-30%). These formulations were subjected to dissolution studies with the apparatus II. From these, three formulations with distinct profiles were selected and subjected to dissolution study with apparatus IV and subsequently to the BA study. From these results, an IVIVC was established and this was evaluated by internal validation. The in silico study was conducted to predict plasma decay curves with employment programs, STELLA® and Simcyp®, from the following data: furosemide solubility, dissolution from the formulations evaluated and pharmacokinetic data obtained from intravenous drug reference. From characterization of the complex, the thermoanalytical tests suggest that furosemide form inclusion complex with HP-β-CD by freeze-drying technique. It was observed an increased solubility compared to the pure drug. However, permeability results, as assessed by the PAMPA (Parallel artificial membrane permeability), were similar for both furosemide and the complex. As for the dissolution behavior, evaluated with apparatus II and IV, so it was observed that the formulations showed an distintict profile. it was observed that the formulations produced showed different dissolution profiles. The results form BA assays indicated that the HPMC concentration has an important impact on the furosemide absorption. It was obtained a linear correlation from absorption fraction and dissolution data, with the determination coefficient of 0.7662 to apparatus II and 0.96017 from apparatus IV. Internal validation, with the IVIVC obtainted from apparatus IV, indicated that the correlation obtained was satisfactory. The in silico study predicted plasma decay curves, showed that under the conditions used, the model developed with STELLA® was more predictive than the model obtained by Simcyp®.

Desde 1964, o Brasil tem lançado programas de políticas públicas para melhorar o acesso da população aos medicamentos considerados essenciais. Em 1999, com a criação da Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária e a introdução dos medicamentos genéricos no mercado brasileiro, o Brasil passou a ter três classes de medicamentos disponíveis no mercado farmacêutico: referência, similar e genérico. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a bioequivalência e intercambialidade entre dois antipsicóticos (referência e similar) utilizados pelo Instituto de Psiquiatria do Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade de São Paulo, contendo 2 mg de risperidona. Foi desenvolvido e validado um método analítico que emprega a cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência acoplada à espectrometria de massas para a determinação da risperidona (RSP) e seu principal metabólito a 9-hidroxirisperidona (9OH-RSP) em plasma. Para se avaliar a bioequivalência entre os medicamentos foram recrutados 22 voluntários sadios, os quais participaram do estudo clínico conduzido de forma cruzada e aleatória. As coletas sanguíneas para o ensaio de bioequivalência foram realizadas em tubos heparinizados (5 mL) e os tempos de coleta foram 0 (antes da medicação); 0,25; 0,5; 1; 1,5; 3; 5; 8; 12; 24; 48; 72; 96 e 120 horas após a administração da medicação. A determinação da bioequivalência entre os dois medicamentos deu-se através da comparação dos parâmetros farmacocinéticos: concentração plasmática máxima (Cmax), tempo para atingir a concentração plasmática máxima (Tmax) e área sobre a curva de decaimento plasmático (ASCT). Os resultados obtidos foram submetidos à análise de variância (ANOVA) e foi adotado o intervalo de confiança de 90% (IC 90%). Os valores médios para Cmax, Tmax e ASCT para RSP para os medicamentos referência e teste foram 16,02 ng/mL; 1,5 h e 348,94 ng.h/mL e 12,65 ng/mL; 1,5 h e 286,03 ng.h/mL, respectivamente. Já os valores médios para Cmax, Tmax e ASCT para 9OH-RSP para os medicamentos referência e teste foram 21,00 ng/mL; 5,0 h e 821,40 ng.h/mL e 17,85 ng/mL; 5,0 h e 632,92 ng.h/mL. Os valores de IC 90% para Cmax e ASCT para RSP para os medicamentos referência e teste foram 74 a 82% e 76 a 85%, respectivamente, e os valores de IC 90% para os mesmos parâmetros para 9OH-RSP foram 83 a 87% e 75 a 78%, respectivamente. Os resultados demonstraram diferenças significativas entre os medicamentos testados, o que permite concluir que os mesmos não são bioequivalentes e, portanto, não podem ser intercambiáveis / Brazil has launched programmes of public policies aiming to improve essential medicines access for the population since 1964. It was created in 1999 the National Agency for Sanitary Vigilance, which introduced the generic medicines in the Brazilian market, which already had the reference and the pharmaceutical equivalent ones. The objective of this study was to evaluate the bioequivalence and interchangeability between two antipsychotics (reference and pharmaceutical equivalent) used by the Institute of Psychiatry, Hospital of the Universidade de São Paulo, containing 2 mg of risperidone. It was developed and validated a high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry method for the determination in plasma of risperidone (RSP) and its main metabolite, 9- hydroxy-risperidone (9OH-RSP). To assess bioequivalence between the medicines it was recruited 22 healthy volunteers, which took part in a clinical cross and random studies. The blood collections were performed on heparinizades tubes (5 ml) and runtimes collections were 0 (before medication); 0.25; 0.5; 1; 1.5; 3; 5; 8; 12; 24; 48; 72; 96 and 120 hours after the administration of medication. The determination of bioequivalence between the two drugs was achieved by a comparison of the following pharmacokinetic parameters: plasma concentration (Cmax), time to achieve Cmax (Tmax), and area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUCT). Results were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA), adopting a confidence interval CI 90%. The average values for Cmax, Tmax and AUCT for RSP were 16.02 ng/ml, 1.5 h and 348.94 ng.h/ml for reference medicines and 12.65 ng/ml, 1.5 h and 286.03 ng.h/ml for testing ones. The average values for Cmax, Tmax and AUCT for 9OH-RSP were 21.00 ng/ml, 5.0 h and 821.40 ng.h/ml for reference medicines and 17.85 ng/ml, 5.0 h and 632.92 ng.h/ml for testing ones. CI 90% for Cmax and AUC (RSP) were 74-82% and 76-85%, respectively. The CI 90% for the same parameters for 9OH-RSP was 83-87% for reference medicines and 75-78% for testing ones. There was significant difference between the products tested, thus one can conclude they are not bioequivalents, therefore cannot be interchanged